early, as you will appreciate, but at this point I wouldn't be calling out any individual companies, the companies with which we cooperate. The point has been made earlier about some of the smaller companies that we just don't have a relationship with, but the big ones are playing quite nicely in this space.[1]
The Commission for Countering Extremism was less optimistic: "it is hard not to be sceptical about what a voluntary code of practice would achieve in the long or short term, or that it would make any substantial difference to the growing and frightening threat of hateful extremism online".[2]
S. It appears that there are inherent difficulties with the voluntary Code of Practice, and indeed across the Online Safety Bill more widely. Whilst the major communication service providers—who are already on board with the Government's drive to promote responsible behaviour—are adhering to the principles, it is the smaller organisations (many of which are particularly influential in the Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism space) who appear reluctant to step up. The emergence of many 'free speech' unmoderated platforms specifically aimed at the Extreme Right Wing are also a problem. It will be essential for Ofcom to develop the expertise and technical know-how as a matter of urgency if it is to be able to properly enforce mandatory Codes of Practice across the industry.
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